Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester

ABSTRACT

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/158,276, filed Jun. 10, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure generally relates to mechanically harvesting anddecoring agricultural products, and, more particularly, to a mechanicalharvester for harvesting and mechanically removing the core from produceplanted in a field, the produce having a core, such as iceberg lettuce,romaine lettuce, and cabbage.

2. Description of Related Art

Romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and cabbage are commercially plantedas seeds or seedlings in rows in a field. Because these types of producetend to be somewhat irregular and delicate, commercial harvesting ofthese produce is generally a manual process.

Conventionally, the harvesting process involves several steps. First, afield worker harvests the produce using a harvesting knife, by cuttingthe stem of the produce planted in the ground. Next, the field workerremoves the core and any remnant amount of stem. The field worker thenplaces the harvested produce on a moving platform for subsequentprocessing and packing. This decoring step is performed by fieldworkers, who are preparing the harvested produce for commercialpackaging (e.g., for prepackaged salad mixes).

This labor-intensive decoring step often requires a worker with anexperienced eye to remove the core so as to maximize the desirableportions and minimize the waste portions of the harvested produce. Apoorly cut produce will result in too much waste material remainingattached to the produce, or too many desirable portions ending up inwaste.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a mechanical harvester for harvesting anddecoring a produce planted in a field is provided. The mechanicalharvester includes a chassis, to which is attached a positioningapparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioningapparatus is configured to position the produce in the ground forharvesting and decoring, and includes a first positioning arm and asecond positioning arm. Each of the two positioning arms has a straightsection and a bent section. The bent sections of the positioning armsare bent away from each other to receive the produce in the ground asthe mechanical harvester moves forward. The straight sections of thepositioning arms are configured to hold the produce in place fordecoring. The decoring device is configured to sever the core of theproduce, which remains attached to the roots in the ground. Thetransport assembly is configured to lift the cut produce off of thesevered core and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or astorage container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present application can be best understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, in which like parts may be referred to by like numerals:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a mechanical harvester;

FIG. 2 depicts a positioning apparatus of the exemplary mechanicalharvester;

FIGS. 3A (top view), 3B (side view), and 3C (front view) depict apositioning apparatus and a decoring device of the exemplary mechanicalharvester;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate an exemplary method of harvesting anddecoring produce with a mechanical harvester; and

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a mechanical harvesterwith roller guides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention, thefollowing description sets forth numerous specific details, such asspecific configurations, parameters, examples, and the like. It shouldbe recognized, however, that such description is not intended as alimitation on the scope of the present invention but is intended toprovide a better description of the exemplary embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary mechanical harvester 100 isdepicted. As described below, mechanical harvester 100 is configured toharvest and decore produce having a core, such as romaine lettuce,iceberg lettuce, cabbage, or the like. To harvest and decore produce inthe field, mechanical harvester 100 moves through the field whilesevering the produce from its core to release the produce, lifting thereleased produce from the ground, and transporting the released produce.The released produced that is decored may be transported to a storagebin or a container for future processing, or to a processing platformconnected to mechanical harvester 100 for more immediate processing.Processing may include, for example, inspecting, sorting, trimming,washing, and packaging.

As depicted in FIG. 1, mechanical harvester 100 includes chassis 102. Apositioning apparatus 104 is connected to chassis 102 to position theproduce in the ground for harvesting and decoring by decoring device106.

As depicted in FIG. 2, in the present exemplary embodiment, positioningapparatus 104 includes positioning arms 202 and 204. Each of positioningarms 202 and 204 has bent section 206 and straight section 208. Bentsections 206 of positioning arms 202 and 204 receive the produce withinthe row. As mechanical harvester 100 moves forward, the straightsections 208 of positioning arms 202 and 204 hold the produce in place,and decoring device 106 cuts through the produce to sever the core.

As depicted in FIG. 2, bent sections 206 of positioning arms 202 and 204are bent away from each other. Each of positioning arms 202 and 204 forman interior angle (depicted by element 210) of 15 degrees. It should berecognized, however, that the size of interior angle 210 may vary.Interior angle 210 may be anywhere from 0 degrees to 60 degrees. Itshould be recognized that bent sections 206 of positioning arms 202 and204 are configured to receive the produce in a way that minimizesbruising or damage to the produce, which may be planted or have grownslightly to the left or right within a row. In the exemplary embodiment,as depicted in FIG. 2, the bent sections of the positioning arms may becurved. In other exemplary embodiments, the bent sections of thepositioning arms may be straight or have an irregular shape.

Once the produce is received by the bent sections of the positioningarms, straight section 208 holds the produce in place for decoring. Asdepicted in FIG. 2, positioning arms 202 and 204 in straight section 208have a parallel configuration with a width (depicted by element 212) of4 inches. It should be understood, however, that width 212 may varydepending on the type of produce harvested. Width 212 may be anywherebetween 1 inch to 10 inches apart. In some embodiments, width 212 may be1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 inches apart. Width 212 is selected tofirmly hold the produce in place for decoring, while avoiding bruisingor damage to the produce. Moreover, in other embodiments, the width nearthe end that receives the produce may differ from the width near the endconnected to the chassis.

It should be recognized, however, that the positioning apparatus mayhave any configuration that can receive and hold the produce forharvesting and decoring. Once the produce is held firmly in place bypositioning apparatus 104, the produce is ready for decoring asmechanical harvester 100 moves forward in the field. Decoring device 106may be integrated with positioning apparatus 104. In particular,decoring device 106 may be integrated with positioning arms 202 and 204.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, in the exemplary embodiment, thedecoring device has blades 302 and 304 connected to positioning arms 202and 204, respectively. Blades 302 and 304 have a straight cutting edgewith a length (depicted by element 308 in FIG. 3B) of 3 inches. Blades302 and 304 have a V-shaped configuration, in which the blades form aninterior angle (depicted by element 306 in FIG. 3C) of 30 degrees. Asmechanical harvester 100 moves forward in the field, the decoring devicefixed to the mechanical harvester moves forward and cuts through theproduce held in place by the positioning apparatus. As depicted in FIGS.3A and 3C, blades 302 and 304 cut the core on two sides. The cuts severthe core from the produce, and the severed core remains attached to theroots of the produce in the ground.

It should be understood, however, that length 308 (FIG. 3B) and interiorangle 306 (FIG. 3C) of decoring device 106 may vary depending on thetype of produce and the size of the core to be removed for thatparticular type of produce. Length 308 may be anywhere from 0.5 inchesto 5 inches. In some embodiments, length 308 may be 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5,3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 inches. Interior angle 306 may be anywhere from 0degrees to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, interior angle 306 may be0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115 and 120 degrees.

While FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C depict the decoring device with two straightblades connected to positioning apparatus 104, the decoring device mayinclude any cutting device connected to mechanical harvester 100, andconfigured to slice the core on two sides. In another exemplaryembodiment, decoring device 106 includes one V-shaped blade connected tochassis 102. Other examples of suitable cutting devices may include oneor more flat blades, curved blades, knives (e.g., ultrasonic, vibratingknife), bandsaws, rotating blades or water jet-cutting devices.

Although two positioning apparatus and decoring devices have beendepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be recognized that any number ofpositioning apparatus and decoring devices may be used to harvest anddecore produce from multiple rows of produce at a time. Multiplepositioning apparatuses 104 and decoring devices 106 may be included inmechanical harvester 100 to cut produce from multiple rows of produce atone time. In other words, mechanical harvester 100 can harvest from atleast as many rows of produce as the number of positioning apparatus 104and decoring devices 106 that are included in mechanical harvester 100.

After severing the core from the rest of the produce, a transportassembly connected to the mechanical harvester lifts the cut produce offof the severed core. It should be understood that any transport assemblycapable of moving the cut produce to a bin, container, or platform forfurther processing may be employed. As depicted in FIG. 1, in theexemplary embodiment, transport assembly 108 is made up of movable beltsconfigured to hold, lift, and transport the produce after the produce iscut from its core. The movable belts may deposit the produce onto amoving platform or an elevator belt to be transported to a platform forfurther processing. Processing steps may include, for example,inspecting, sorting, trimming, washing, and packaging. Alternatively,the moveable belts may deposit the produce into a storage bin or acontainer.

Furthermore, as depicted in FIG. 1, mechanical harvester 100 includesplow 110 positioned in front of decoring device 106. In a positionforward to the decoring device, the plow may reach the produce beforethe decoring device when mechanical harvester 100 is moving. In otherexemplary embodiments, a plow may be optionally connected to themechanical harvester. The plow may keep vegetation and other debris fromcollecting on the decoring device. Additionally, mechanical harvester100 may include more than one plow in a position forward to wheel 112 ofmechanical harvester 100. The plow may also keep vegetation and otherdebris from collecting on wheel 112 of mechanical harvester 100.

The mechanical harvester may include additional devices to align andposition the produce in the ground for harvesting by decoring device106. As depicted in FIG. 5, in another exemplary embodiment, mechanicalharvester 500 includes chassis 502. A positioning apparatus 504 isconnected to chassis 502 to position the produce in the ground forharvesting and decoring by decoring device 506. Additionally, mechanicalharvester 500 has roller guide 510, which is connected to chassis 502.Roller guide 510 includes a series of rollers that help position producelying at an angle in the ground for decoring. By adjusting the angle ofthe produce in the ground, the produce may be better aligned forharvesting and decoring by decoring device 506. While FIG. 5 depictsroller guide 510, it should be understood that any devices or methodsknown in the art that can be used to guide produce lying at an angleinto the decoring device may be employed.

The harvesting and decoring process performed in the field isillustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. With reference to FIG. 4A, thedirection of travel of mechanical harvester 100 (FIG. 1) brings thepositioning apparatus 104 (FIG. 1) to produce 300 (FIG. 3). Withreference to FIG. 4B, as mechanical harvester 100 (FIG. 1) movesforward, positioning apparatus 104 (FIG. 1) positions and holds produce300 (FIG. 3) in place as coring device 106 (FIG. 1) exerts sufficientforce to cut through produce 300 (FIG. 3). The belts of the transportsystem engage with the produce while the coring knives penetrate theproduce. This helps facilitate the cutting and coring of the produce,otherwise, if the produce has a weak root system, the coring knives maypush the produce rather than cut through it. With reference to FIG. 4C,as mechanical harvester 100 (FIG. 1) continues to travel through thefield, transport assembly 108 (FIG. 1) lifts and moves cut produce 402towards the rear of mechanical harvester 100 (FIG. 1).

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended tobe exhaustive, and it should be understood that many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanical harvester for harvesting anddecoring a produce planted in a field, the produce having a core, astem, and roots extending from the stem when the produce is growing inthe ground, the mechanical harvester comprising: a chassis; apositioning apparatus configured to position the produce in the groundfor harvesting and decoring, wherein the positioning apparatuscomprises: a first positioning arm; and a second positioning arm, p3wherein each of the first and second positioning arms has a straightsection and a bent section, and wherein the bent sections of the firstand second positioning arms are bent away from each other; a decoringdevice configured to sever a substantial portion of the core of theproduce while the produce is in the ground, wherein the decoring devicecomprises: a first blade connected to the first positioning arm; and asecond blade connected to the second positioning arm, wherein the firstblade and the second blade are angled towards each other to sever asubstantial portion of the core of the produce; and a transport assemblycomprising one or more moveable belts, configured to lift the cutproduce from the ground, and transport the cut produce to a processingunit or a storage container, wherein the positioning apparatus, thedecoring device, and the transport assembly are connected to thechassis.
 2. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond positioning arms in the bent section are bent away from eachother, and wherein each positioning arm is bent to form an interiorangle of 0 degrees to 60 degrees.
 3. The mechanical harvester of claim1, wherein the first and second positioning arms in the straight sectionhave a width of 1 inch to 10 inches.
 4. The mechanical harvester ofclaim 3, wherein the first and second blades each have a length of 0.5inches to 5 inches.
 5. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more roller guides, wherein the one or more rollerguides are connected to the chassis, and wherein the one or more rollerguides position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring.6. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the transport assemblyis further configured to pull the produce through the decoring device.7. The mechanical harvester of claim 1, wherein the transport assemblycomprises: a movable first belt, wherein the movable first belt includesa first set of produce grippers; and a movable second belt, wherein themovable second belt includes a second set of produce grippers, wherein aportion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of thesecond set of produce grippers, when the cut produce is held between thefirst set and second set of produce grippers, and wherein the opposingproduce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the cutproduce to hold the cut produce between the movable first and secondbelts.